Life is interconnected and so are the topics on this blog. It might be cooking and gardening one day, yoga the next, knitting and sewing, or hiking and then bird watching followed by recycling or composting. They are the parts that bring humble joy to my life of voluntary simplicity in Montana.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday's Simple Daybook

Outside My Window...

there is more snow falling....again. And just last week I was cheering the opposite. Oh well, it won't last.

I am thinking...

that there must be a way to easily ride bicycle in a long skirt. I just have to figure out what it is. I am going to look into chain guards.

I am thankful for... feeling better again.

From the learning rooms...

I hear that making your bed is surprisingly helpful and important.

From the kitchen...

I am eating couscous and garlicy beans. I don't think I really like couscous. I keep eating it because it is so very fast to cook, Matt likes it, and it adds grain variety to my diet, but I think it tastes like dirt. Hmmmm...I wonder if cooking it in stock rather than just water would help.

I am wearing...

the green skirt I made not too long ago, a vintage long sleeved shirt of pretty wild 70's print, tennis shoes.

I am creating...

a skirt for my darling niece made of the same material I used in my own skirt....we can match! Still! It is giving me grief. It shouldn't be, but it is. I put it aside until I could infuse it with my loving care rather than my frustration.

I am going...to hear a funk band tonight. I look forward to the warmth of the horns and the walk in the snow to the theatre.

I am reading...

Yamsi, The Story of A Man's Love for A Ranch in the Oregon Wilderness.

I am hearing...

quiteness.

On my mind...

is that I need to make more time for music. I don't practice my flute or guitar nearly enough. As a result I have reached a bit of a plateau.

Around the house...

there is much to be done in preparation for my game night/dinner party on Friday. Floors to scrub, rolls to bake, furniture to arrange.

One of my favorite things...is baking bread, rolls, breadsticks, etc. It fill the house with warmth and delightful smells (and tastes). It also amazes those who don't know just how easy it is! I swear some of my pals think it is magic.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:Concert tonight, baking and cleaning, laughing and playing games with friends.

A small window into my life...

Matt put his toast on the sidewalk while he ran back inside for something. I told him I didn't really know if that was an advisable practice. It was my fault though for rushing him out the door before he had a chance to eat breakfast. I had to shake my head and chuckle.

Couscous is better if cooked in stock or with some spices. Margo is not a fan of couscous either. Re: quinoa, we are eating more of it. I have discovered that the key truly is to rinse it repeatedly until the water is pretty much clear. Otherwise it can be pretty bitter. I actually made a quinoa pudding (in the style of rice pudding) recently and it was pretty tasty. Even tastier a few days later when I made a burnt sugar (the burnt was unintentional but tasty) banana sauce to add to it.

I finally told Matt last night (over dinner) that I thought couscous tastes like dirt. He seemed kind of bummed about it really. So in order to not deprive him of it I think next time I'll try it with stock. Its worth a shot as well. But who knows, maybe he will fall in love with quinoa as much as he has with couscous and my "problem" will be solved.

Banana sauce, huh? I've never even thought of such a thing! I bet it is creamy. MMmmmmm.